ENCOMPIX - News about Manufacturing Software for ERP

8/1/2006 - "Industry 2.0"

ETO is a Process, not a Product

Four Encompix Canadian customers are featured in the August 2006 issue of Industry 2.0, a technology management magazine for decision-makers. In the article titled “ETO is a Process, not a Product,” the article explains the importance of selecting the right system to meet the unique business processes of the engineer-to-order manufacture, by providing a short case study on each of the four companies. The author goes on to explain how an ETO ERP system, such as Encompix, provides greater flexibility than traditional ERP systems.

7/24/2006 - "Manufacturing.net"

Signs of Success

Milwaukee-based Poblocki Sign Company realized that it’s difficult to grow a business without a clear perspective on potential orders and available capacity. Five years ago Poblocki replaced a 10-year-old legacy system written in proprietary code with Encompix’s ERP software. As a result Poblocki have achieved the four key goals they identified at the beginning of the project. In recent years, the company has grown dramatically in revenue without adding personnel. The Encompix software has provided a competitive advantage and allowed the company to look for additional profit centers and to continue an aggressive lean process.

5/1/2006 - "Software Magazine"

ERP Suppliers Focusing Vertically

ERP (enterprise resource planning) software vendors can no longer attempt to be everything to everyone. To better serve their manufacturing clients and survive economically, ERP vendors are employing a variety of vertical marketing segmentation tactics to position themselves as leaders within a specific target market.

This article examines the requirements of two industries, food and engineer-to-order manufacturers, and explains why they need industry specific ERP systems.

3/7/2006 - "Quality Digest"

Is ERP helping or hindering quality in the engineer-to-order environment?

Is enterprise resource planning (ERP) software helping or hindering quality? Many companies that purchased their first ERP package years ago now find that the system is hindering their efforts to adopt new quality initiatives, including lean manufacturing and Six Sigma. Since the purchase several years ago, the business has changed, and the ERP system wasn’t flexible enough to keep pace. Perhaps it was the wrong system. The wrong ERP system selection is more apparent than in the engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturing sector.

2/14/2006 - "Automation.com"

ERP and CAD Integration in the Engineer-to-Order Environment

This article focuses on the importance of the integration between CAD and ERP for an engineer-to-order company. Chuck Stewart, Vice President, Encompix, is quoted as well as several Encompix customers.

1/5/2006 - "World Trade Magazine"

Engineer-to-Order Manufacturers Face Little Global Competition

With a sub-title of “there’s still some things that can’t be outsourced overseas,” this article takes the premise that ETO companies are somewhat protected from global competition due to the nature of the unique one-of-a-kind products they manufacture. As the products are typically completed at the customer’s site and are modified as an engineered work-in-progress, it is this specific geographic requirement that provides ETO manufacturers a global competitive advantage.

Featured in the article are Encompix’s Chuck Stewart and Encompix customers Lindquist Corporation and Krauss-Maffei Process Technology

1/1/2006 - "Manufacturing & Technology Magazine"

Ask The Expert

In the "Ask The Expert" section of Manufacturing & Technology magazine, JimMcEachen, President of Ransohoff, explains their selection of Encompix ERP software.

12/12/2005 - "Cincinnati Business Courier"

NTR Teaches Art of Closing Deals

Chuck Stewart and Dave Warford are featured in a story recognizing the results of the investment Encompix made in sales training with the NTR Group, Mason, Ohio.

11/1/2005 - "The Manufacturer"

Bedazzled by bolt-ons

Specialized third-party software applications may offer a quick way to expand IT capabilities, but at what cost? Rich Weissman takes a look at the ongoing debate.

In this article Chuck Stewart is quoted about the importance of third-party applications to an overall ERP ETO solution

11/1/2005 - "InMFG"

ERP and the ETO Manufacturer

This article focus on Encompix customer B&K Corporation, Saginaw, Michigan, a leading provider of testing equipment for the automotive industry.

The article features Scott Orendach, CEO, and Kurt Kuck, CFO, who explain how Encompix ERP software is a critical component of their standardization initiative.

10/7/2005 - "Machine Design"

Integrated ERP/CAD shines for ETOs

This article discusses the importance of CAD/ERP systems integration for engineer-to-order manufacturers.

10/1/2005 - "Metal Forming Magazine"

ERP System for Engineer-to-Order Metalformers

This article in the TechUpdate section (page 2) features Encompix customer Harry Major Machine.

9/20/2005 - "InMFG"

ERP Software Solutions Get The Job Done For Smaller Manufacturers

This article examines the problems facing small manufacturers that cannot afford a full time IT manager. These companies rely on multi-talented individuals that undertake several roles. Featured are Rob Stull from Encompix customer Midwest Patterns and Nathan Weaks from Automatic Feed Company.

9/12/2005 - "Quality Digest"

Engineer-to-Order Manufacturing

In repetitive manufacturing, it’s possible to apply statistical process control (SPC) techniques to purchased components and manufacturing quality as well as scrap and yield. Statistical analysis is acceptable if a company mass-purchases or mass-manufactures the same product to the same standards every time. The essence of engineer-to-order (ETO) is building a unique complex product every time. There may be components that are common from one machine to another, but not in the same quantity as a repetitive manufacturer.

7/26/2005 - "Automation.com"

Staying Competitive: Strategies for Engineer-to-Order Mnaufacturers

This article examines some potential strategies ETO companies can adopt to remain competitive and spotlights two Encompix customers, B&K Corporation and Orbitform.

3/7/2005 - "ERPManger.net"

Encompix's 8 Point Plan

Engineer-to-Order Manufacturers considering a new ERP system are curious about the process. Encompix detailed their 8 Point Plan from the Kick-Off to Going Live.

3/1/2005 - "Mechanical Engineering"

No Run of the Mill

Encompix's Chuck Stewart and Krauss-Maffei's David Beitz are featured in an article about the problems facing engineer-to-order companies.

9/1/2004 - "The Manufacturer"

A Plan to Deliver

Engineer-to-order manufacturers have very similar challenges amongst very different product lines. Pamela Malinoski reports how these manufacturers are navigating the options today

6/21/2004 - "Plastics News"

Three Encompix Customers Named to Top Ten List

In the Top 20 Mold Makers ranking based on North American sales, three Encompix customers made the top ten.

Originally published in June's edition of Plastics News, Reko International, Oldcastle, Ontario, was ranked 8th, Hallmark Technologies, Windsor, Ontario, 9th, and Delta Technologies Group, joint 10th.

12/1/2003 - "Industrial Connection"

How Paper and Pulp Machine Maufacturer RADER Transformed Corporate Technology

In this interview Jim Symington, IT manager for Georgia-based Rader Companies explains how they moved from a homegrown system to the latest ETO ERP technology from Encompix.

7/1/2003 - "APICS"

Integrated ERP

Metal Systems designs and manufacturers a wide range of equipment and operator centers providing world-class protection to personnel or delicate electronic equipment from noise, dust, extreme heat, or inclement weather. Customers include many of the world's leading industrial corporations including: Square D, Siemens, GE, US Steel, TVA, Alcoa, BP, Motorola, Westinghouse, AMTRAK, Monsanto, and Procter & Gamble.

In February 2000 Fred Richardson joined Metal Systems as controller with the specific objective of selecting and implementing a modern ERP system. This APICS article reviews the implementation and highlights the impressive results.

6/1/2003 - "Industrial Connections"

From 5 to 60 Employees....How a South Carolina Moldmaker Used Automation to Grow

JM Mold South (JMMS) of Easley, South Carolina, opened their doors in 1986 with 5 employees. That year the company generated $1.5 million in sales. By 1994 with 60 employees and $6 million in annual sales JMMS pursued an ERP system to better manage an aggressively growing business.

6/1/2003 - "Food Manufacturing"

ETO Food Manufacturing Requires Unique ERP Solutions

Like Swiss cheese, Scherping Systems, a division of the Carlise conglomerate, found that most ERP software solutions had holes for ETO (engineer-to-order) manufacturing.

Scherping Systems builds custom equipment for the cheese-making industry. The article highlights some of the key characteristics of their manufacturing process and the reasons why they chose a new ETO ERP system.

5/5/2003 - "Fabricating & Metalworking"

Traditional Fab Shop Transformed

Located in two manufacturing facilities just outside Burlington, Vt., Encompix customer Fab-Tech, Inc., has evolved from a traditional job-shop metal forming company to the leading global supplier of corrosive-resistant fume exhaust systems. This article explains the reasons why Fab-Tech needed a new system and why they chose Encompix.

2/1/2003 - "IT for Industry"

Don't Shoehorn ERP

Canadian engineer-to-order manufacturer makes sure the slipper fits

Encompix customer Machine-Outils Henri Line is featured in the February issue of Canadian publication IT for Industry.

5/1/2002 - "Moldmaking Technology"

Can the Wrong ERP System Cost You Your Job?

More than one-third of all moldmakers are custom shops, producing one-of-a-kind products. Ironically, these special engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturers are the most likely to have the wrong ERP system and the operations manager may be held responsible.

11/2/2001 - "Moldmaking Technology"

How The Right ERP Program Can Impact Your Bottom Line